Gibbons said these calls have increased slightly in the past five years after legal consumer-grade fireworks, also known as sparklers, became more readily available in the state.

Sparklers are defined by state law 29-357 as devices with "not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item." Gibbons recommends restricting the use of these fireworks to persons age 16 or older.

"These are relatively safe fireworks when you follow the directions," he said. "Of course, people being people and kids being kids, they take them apart and try to make them bigger and better. That's when the problems start."

Carius said by not following the directions, the person igniting the fireworks risks serious injuries, such as burns, severed limbs and death for himself and persons in the general vicinity of the fireworks.

"Fireworks injuries are potentially very significant, and they're not things people should be playing with," he said. "I just can't say that enough."

Many fireworks-related injuries result from the improper use of illegal firecrackers, Gibbons said.

"Adults drive to Pennsylvania, and they buy fireworks that are illegal," he said. "They bring them back here, and they don't have any training on how to set them off."

Under Connecticut General Statute 53-80a, large firecrackers, such as M-80s, are illegal. Persons caught with these items could be charged with illegal possession of explosives and receive up to 90 days in prison.

To prevent fires, persons setting off fireworks should make sure the surrounding area is devoid of dry brush and combustible material, Gibbons said. Fairfield County has lacked heavy rain in recent weeks, and a spark from fireworks could ignite a large natural area, according to Gibbons.

"You need to be in a backyard or a nice parking lot," he said. "Certainly, those are going to be safer places to set them off."

Gibbons also warned against excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages before igniting fireworks, as alcohol impairs judgment.